Lock.



N0. 850.333. PATENTED APR. 16, 1907.

' V F. S. ALIANO.

LOGK. APPLICATION TILED QEPT. 2B, 1905.

21M Inventor: b @d Lmvfl/wliw I v Attys,

rm: NORRIS PETERS cm. wasmumou. a. c.

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FRANK s. ALIANO, or NEW YORK, n". Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 16, 1907.

Application filed September 26, 1905. Serial No. 280,152.

To a whom, it 777/6117] concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK S. ALIANo, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Brooklyn, in the city of New York, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks, of which the following is a specification, reference belng had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to locks, and more particularly to a class of locks especially adapted for use on dress-suit cases.

The main object of the invention is to provide a lock of this description wherein the latch jaw or jaws, the key-controlled locking mechanism therefor, and the means actuating said jaw or jaws to open the lock will be compactly arranged and contained within the lock casing or cup and be conveniently accessible.

A further object is to provide such a lock wherein the various elements will be so arranged as to reinforce each other, thus adding materially to the strength of the look, while permitting the individual parts to be made of fairly light stock. I

A. still further object is to provide such a lock wherein the various elements may be assembled and retained in place'without the necessity for riveting any of the parts, thus reducing the cost of production.

A still further object is to provide a construction of latch jaw or jaws and a keycontrolled locking mechanism therefor which will not be susceptible of such a disarrangement as will cause the binding of the means releasing the jaw or controlling said locking mechanism and the consequent difliculty in opening the lock or releasing said locking mechanism.

A still further object is to provide such a lock wherein sufficient space for the tumblers will be provided to insure the possibility of a wide range of safety combinations; and a still further object is to provide a lock wherein the various elements may be made of sheet metal stamped or pressed to form, thus making it possible to produce the look at a low cost.

The invention consists, primarily, in the combination of a lock casing or cup, a faceplate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a spring-pressed latchj aw nounted in the bottom of said casing, a

reciprocating locking-plate inclosing said jaw and adapted to be forced into engagement therewith to positively lock it against movement, means whereby said locking plate may be reciprocated through a key, and a depressible plunger adapted to engage and actuate said jaw to release a cooperating latch member independently of the key, all contained in said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said aw, and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth anddescribed, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the lock with the face-plate shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a plan view with the release-plunger, the key-barrel, and the tumblers removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the releaseplunger, showing amodified form of plunger mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a still further modification of the releaseplunger,- showing it combined with the key-barrel, an d Fig. 6 is a view of the key for said lock.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of'my invention shown in the drawings, a indicates a hasp-plate, adapted to be secured to a dress-suit-case cover and carrying a spring-pressed hasp b thereon. The base a is of well-known construction, except that it carries a stud a, which serves as a retainer for a spiral spring a acting against the hasp b to normally project it from said plate. The hasp b carries a stud 0, having a beveled head 0 and side slots 0 adapted to cooperate with the latch-jaw.

Riveted or otherwise secured to a faceplate d, having therein an openingd, whereby the entire lock may be secured in place, is a lock-cup 6, preferably stamped up of sheet metal and having side flanges e,by means of which it is attached to the said face-plate d. This cup has a short pin 6 near the lower end thereof for the latch jaw or jaws, a long pivot e for the release-plunger substantially centrally of said cup, and a long tumbler-pivot c arranged to one side of said pin 0 An opening e is also formed in the bottom of said cup for the key-barrel, and a depressed portion is formed about the pin 6 to give clearance for the releasing-plunger.

ITO

Seated on and guided by the bottom of the cup e and swinging on the pivot e or adjacent thereto are a plurality of oppositely-disposed latch-jaws f f, each of which comprises a shank having a substantially straight inner edge adapted to abut against the corresponding edge of the other, which inner edge has recesses therein, as f, whereby they are fitted to the pivot (2 f above the opening 6 to permit the passage of the key-barrel therebetween, and f 3 about the pivot e to cooperate with the wedge formed by the release-plum ger in opening the lock. The recesses f form a circular opening larger than the opening 6 thus providing a seat on the bottom of the cup 0 for said key-barrel and for the key itself to relieve said jaws of all pressure when the key is being used.

The upper end of each jawf below the opening d is raised, as at f, to bear against and transmit all strains on the jaw to the faceplate, and the adjoining edges of the raised portion are cut away and may be beveled slightly to facilitate the entrance of the head a of the stud 0 therebetween. This raised ortion not only gives oppositely-disposed earings for the latch-j aw and reinforces said jaw by the plate (Z, but also provides space below same for the said stud-head. Said jaws f are spring-actuated to provide an automatic latch, the lower ends thereof aboutthe pin 0 being rounded, as shown, and having a semicircular spring g, serving to hold said jaws upon said pin and to normally close them.

Seated in the cup-casing d and inclosing the shanks of said jaws is a reciprocating locking-plate h, having a central opening therein to give clearance to the key-barrel and the release-plunger and a slot for the pin (2 The said plate is also recessed to form a shoulder at h adjacent to the openings f and the key-barrel i, passing therethrough, by means of which said locking-plate may be reciprocated through a key to force the arms k2 h at the upper end thereof into engagement with the outer edge of the bent-up portion of the jaws f to positively lock same, said arms preferably having their inner corners rounded to avoid a collision and resulting jamming of these parts. The width of said plate is substantially the same as the case d, allowing sufficient clearance to permit it to be freely actuated, and to avoid friction through surface irregularities between it and said jaws f I support said plate from the bottom of the cup '0 by downwardly-proj ected side flanges h.

The plate his controlled by means of a key in the rotary key-barrel i. This barrel has oppositely-disposed shoulders i adapted, respectively, to engage the seat on the bottom of the casing afforded by making the opening f through the jaws f of larger diameter than the opening (2 and the top plate d. Said barrel below the shoulder i projects through the opening 6 and above the shoulder t through the top plate (1. The barrel and the top plate adjoining same are slotted in the usual manner to permit the insertion of the key 3'.

Mounted on the pivot-pin e andengaging the tumbler-stud h, carried by the plate h, are a plurality of spring-controlled tumblers 7c, of well-known design and construction, hav ing a way therein for said stud h", with oppositely-disposed projections 76 within said way forming shoulders adapted to engage said stud and prevent movement thereof and of the plate therethrough in either direction un less the proper key is used. These tumblers fit fairly snugly between said plate It and the top plate d, thus serving to hold all the parts beneath them in position.

A release-plunger m, comprising a lower conical portion m, forming a wedge however .the plunger may be turned, is mounted on the pin 6 said conical portion being adapted to enter the recessed portion f of the jaws f and force said jaws apart when said plunger is depressed. This plunger is bored out to provide a suitable bearing for the said pin 0 and I preferably enlarge this bore, so as to form a chamber for the coiled spring n, which normally acts to force said plunger out of engagement with said jaws. The top of said plunger is reduced to form a shoulder m the reduced portion projecting through an opening in the top plate (Z and permitting said shoulder m to engage said plate to confine said plunger within the cup.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the spring n is dispensed with, although I preferably use it to prevent any roughness of the contacting surfaces resulting in a failure in the immediate restoration of the said plunger and the j awsf to their normal locked position.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 I utilim the key-barrel i both as a means controlling the locking-plate 71, and as a releasingplunger, providing it with a conical or truncated conical portion 0 above the shoulder i and allowing in the other parts of the barrel for the necessary depression thereof to effect the opening of the jaws and the release of the stud c. I

The key is the ordinary flat key, except that I provide an additional shoulder j, adapted to engage the seat on the bottom of the casing a about the opening 6 therein, and thus by providing a definite support for the key hold the lower finger thereof out of engagement with the jaw relieving it from any pressure which might tend to interfere with the free rotation of the key-barrel.

The top plate d, the cup 6, the jaws f, the plate h, and the tumblers 76 may all be made of pressed or stamped metal, as well as the hasp plate (L and the hasp b, the arrangement of the several parts within the cup 6 being ITO such as to cause each of these parts to reinforce the others, thus giving great strength to the lock.

A large range of tumbler safety combinations maybe had, the disposition of the tumblers within the cup 6 affording sufficient space for a considerable variance in the dimensions of the tumblers 7a.

The operation of the hereinbefore described lock is substantially as follows: As suming that the hasp-stud c' is not engaged by the latch-jawsfand that it is desired to so engage it, it is merely necessary to depress the hasp 6' against the tension of its spring (L2, forcing the stud 0 thereof against and between the exposed ends of the j aws f, the contacting beveled head of said. stud and the beveled upper surface and cutaway portion of said aws causing them to separate at the pin 6 and against the tension of the spring 9 sufficiently to permit the passage of said head therel'ietween. The spring 9 thereupon restores said jaws to their former position or sufficiently to cause the-raised end thereof to enter the notches c As previously stated, the bend at 6 permits the said head to pass below said jaws and causes any efforts to rai said hasp to be resisted by the top plate (Z. The spring 9 being light of ten sion and disposed adjoining the bearing upon which said jaws open, little effort is required to so engage the hasp-stud c. This serves to latch the two parts of the lock in a manner to permit a ready release thereof without the use of a key, such being desirable in locks in dress-suit cases and receptacles similar in their nature. This release may be accomplished by simply depressing the plunger The wedging action of the conical port-ion m thereof through its engagement with the edge of the recessed portions f of the jaws forces said jaws apart and permits the spring 7) to withdraw the stud c from within the casing 6, the spring a in the preferred form of the invention or the action of the shank of said jaws through their spring 9 in the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings restoring said plunger to its former position and permitting the jaws to immediately resume the locked position upon the release of said. plunger.

If it be desired. to prevent the release of the stud c by the plunger m, the key is inserted in the slot in the key-barrel i and in the top plate d and turi'ied until the fingers thereof engage and actuate the tumblers 7c in the usual and well known manner to release the stud 7i and permit the lowermost finger of the key to engage the shoulder 72 the subse quent rotation of said key reciprocating the plate 7i until the arms 7L2 thereof are forced into engagement with the jaws f, effectively blocking the swinging movement of said jaws. The tumblers 1c thereupon reengage the stud 7L4 and prevent the said plate being restored to its former position, releasing said jaws, except by the use of the key. The central opening in said plate h and the slot for the pin a permit this reciprocation of said plate, and the flange h and the walls of the cup 0 guide said plate and prevent an interference during such movement. The tumblers 7r, acting against the top plate or faceplate (1, serve as a top guide for said plate.

When the various parts are in this position, movement of the jaws f and plunger m is effectively blocked, and the plate It being also locked it is practically impossible to so lease said jaws. The plate IL may be restored to its former position by a reversal of this operation, such, however, merely permitting the jaws to be opened by the plunger m.

It will be observed that all of the latch and locking mechanism, except the hasp b and its stud c, are entirely inclosed by and contained within the casing e, that they are in. most part of flat metal, fitted one above the other, so as to cause one to protect, guide, and secure the others in place, and that all the parts within said. cup are fitted loosely about fixed pins, thus avoiding the heading or placing of rivets in assembling the lock, and, further, that while positive locking means are afforded and the jaws are normally latched the hasp may be readily released by merely pushing the plunger m, a convenient manner of gaining access to a dress-suit case. The arrangement of the pivot-pin for the latch-jaws at one end. of the casing andthe engaging end of said jaws at the opposite end affords sufficient leverage to readily overcome the tension of the spring 9 both in snapping the hasp into the locked position and in releasing it through the plunger m. It will also be observed that the plate It protects the spring g, holding it in place upon the jaws f and also holding said jaws about the pin 6 Considerable latitude in the design of a lock of this character being necessarily required to permit its adaptation to various uses and grades of locks, I do not wish to beunderstood as confining my invention to the precise details of construction heretofore described and shown in the drawings.

l Having described the invention, what I l claim as new, and desire to have protected by l Letters Patent, is-

j 1. In a lock, the combination of a lock cas ing or cup, a face-plate therefor having an 1 opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperatinglatch member, a spring-pressed latch-jaw mounted in said. cup and extending below said opening, a reciprocating locking-plate inclosing said jaw and adaptedv to be forced into engagement therewithv to positively lock it against movement, means whereby said locking-plate 1 may be reciprocated by means of a key and a tamper with the locking mechanism as to re- &

depressible plunger adapted to engage and actuate said jaw to release a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained in said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaw through the opening in said face-plate.

2. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup, a face-plate therefor haying an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a spring-pressed latch-jaw mounted in said cup and extending below said opening, a reciprocating lockingplate inclosing said jaw and adapted to be forced into engagement therewith to positively lock it against movement, means whereby said locking-plate may be reciprocated by means of a key, means whereby said plate may be locked against movement in either direction, and a depressible plunger adapted to engage and actuate said aw to release a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained in said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaw through the opening in said face-plate.

3. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the en trance of a cooperating latch member, a spring-pressed latch-jaw mounted in said.

- cup and having the end extended upwardly into engagement with said top plate and below said opening, a reciprocating lockingplate adapted to engage the section between said upwardly-raised end and the shank of said jaw and adapted to be forced into engagement therewith to positively lock it against movement, means whereby said locking-plate may be reciprocated by means of a key and means adapted to actuate said I jaw to release a cooperating member independently of a key, all contained in said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaw through the opening in said face-plate.

4. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a spring-pressed latch-jaw mounted in said cup and having the end extended upwardly into engagement with said top plate and below said opening, a reciprocating lockingplate adapted. to engage the section between said upwardly-raised end and the shank of said jaw and adapted to be forced into engagement therewith to positively lock it against movement,means whereby said locking-plate may be reciprocated, by means of a key, means whereby said plate may be locked against movement in either direction, and means adapted to actuate said jaw to release a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained within said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaw through the opening in said face-plate.

5. In a lock, the combination of a lock cas ing or cup, having a bearing-pin near one end thereof, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a plurality of latch-jaws mounted in said casing on opposite sides of said bearing-pin and extending below said opening, means normally closing said jaws, a reciprocating locking-plate inclosing said jaws and said means and adapted to positively lock same against movement, means whereby said locking-plate may be reciprocated by means of a key and means adapted to actuate said jaws to release a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained within said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaw through the opening in said face-plate.

6. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a spring-pressed latch-j aw mounted in said cup and extending below said opening, a

locking-plate inclosing said jaw having an opening or openings therein whereby it is permitted to reciprocate, an end arm adapted to be interposed between said jaw and said casing and positively lock it against movement, a shoulder thereon whereby said plate may be reciprocated by means of a key, means whereby said plate may be locked against movement in either direction, and means adapted to actuate said jaw to release 'a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained in said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to en gage said aw through the opening in said face-plate.

7. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup having a bearing-pin near one end thereof, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a plurality of latch-jaws mounted in said casing on opposite sides of said bearing-pin and extending below said opening, means normally closing said jaws, a locking-plate inclosing said jaws having an opening therein whereby it is permitted to reciprocate, and arms adaptedto engage said jaws respectively and positively lock them against movement, a shoulder thereon whereby said plate may be reciprocated by means of a key, means whereby said plate may be locked against movement in either direction, and means adapted to actuate said jaws to release a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained in said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaws through the opening in said face-pl ate.

8. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup, having a bearing-pin near one end thereof, a faceplate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a plurality of I said jaws and opening in the bottom of said cup whereby a seat is formed adjacent to said last-mentioned opening, a key-barrel passing through mounted in said opening in the latch-jaws mounted in said casing on oppobottom of the cup and the alined opening in site sides of said bearing-pin and extending the face-plate, means normally closing said below said opening, means normally closing 1 aws, a locking-plate mounted on the bottom said jaws, a locking-plate mounted on the bottom of said cup by means of side flanges and inclosing said jaws, having an opening therein whereby it is permitted to recipro cate, end arms adapted to engage said jaws respectively and positively lock them against plate mounted movement, a shoulder thereon whereby said plate may be reciprocated by means of a key, means whereby said plate may be locked against movement in either direction, and means adapted to actuate said jaws to release a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained in said. cup, and acooperating member carrying means adapted to engage. said jaws through the opening in said face-plate.

9. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup, having a bearing-pin and a tumbler-pin near one end thereof, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a plurality of latch-jaws mounted in said casing on opposite sides of said bearing-pin and extending below said opening, means normally closing said jaws, a lockingon thebottom of said cup inclosing said jaws having an opening therein whereby it is permitted to reciprocate and arms adapted to engage said jaws respectively and positively lock same against move ment, a shoulder thereon whereby said plate may be recipro'cated by means of a key, a tumbler or tumblers mounted on said tumbler-pin, a locking-stud carried by said plate and adapted to engage said tumblers whereby said plate may be locked against movement in either direction, a key-support adjoining said tumblers whereby said tumbler may be released and said plate reciprocated, and means adapted to actuate said aws to release a cooperating member independently of the key, cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaws through the opening in said face-plate. I

10. In a lock, the combination of a lock cup or casing having a bearing-pin and a tumbler-pin near one end thereof, and an opening in the bottom thereof adjoining said tumblerpin, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member and a second opening alined with the opening in the bottom of said cup, a plurality of latch-jaws mounted in said cup on opposite sides of said bearing-pin and extending below said opening for a cooperating latch member, and having recesses therein at a point above the inclosing said jaws and said all contained in said cup, and a.

of said cup inclosing said jaws having an opening therein whereby it is permitted to reciprocate and arms adapted to engage said jaws respectively and positively lock same against movement, a shoulder thereon adjoining said key-barrel whereby said plate may be reciprocated by means of a key, a tumbler or tumblers mounted on said tumbler pin, a locking-stud carried by said plate and adapted to engage said tumbler or tumblers, whereby said plate may be locked against movement in either direction, and means adapted to actuate said jaws to release a cooperating latch member independently of the key, all contained in said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaws through the opening in said face-plate.

11. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup having a bearing pin near one end thereof, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a plurality of latch-jaws mounted in said casing on opposite sides of said bearing-pin and extending below said opening, means normally clos i g said. jaws, a reciprocating locking-plate means and adapted to positively lock same against movement, plate may be reciprocated by means of a key and a depressible wedge member adapted to enter between said jaws whereby said jaws are actuated to release a cooperating member independently of the key, all contained within said cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said jaws through the opening in said face-plate.

12. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup having a bearingpin near one end thereof, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the en trance of a cooperating latch member, a pluralityof latch-jaws mounted in said casing on opposite sides of said bearing-pin and extending below said opening, means normally closing said jaws, a reciprocating lockingplate inclosing said jaws and said means and adapted to positively lock same against movement means whereby said lockingplate may be reciprocated by means of a key, a pin carried by said cup, a conical wedge mounted in the face-plate above said pin and encircling said pin, a spring interposed between said plunger or wedge and said cup, said wedge being adapted to enter between said aws and actuate them to release a cooperating member, independently of the key,

means whereby said locking all contained within said cup and a cooperatl against movement in either direction, a pin ing member carrying means adapted to en.-

gage said jaws through the opening in said face-plate.

13. In a lock, the combination of a lock casin or cu) havin' a bearin in and a tumbler-pin near oneend thereof, and an opening in the bottom thereof adjoining said tumbler-pin, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a second opening for a key-barrel, and.a third opening for a release-plunger, a plurality of latch-jaws mounted in the bottom of said cup on opposite sides of said bearing-pin and having the ends thereof extended upwardly into engagement with said top plate and below said opening for the cooperating latch member, and having a recess therein below said key-barrel opening, and spaced apart I below said plunger-opening in said face-plate respectively, a key-barrel mounted in the openings in said cup and said face-plate, a spring engaging said jaws adjoining said pivot whereby they are normally closed, a

locking-plate inclosing said jaws and said spring, having an openlng therein whereby it is permltted to reclprocate and arms thereon adapted to engage the extended portion of said jaws respectively and positively lock same against movement, a shoulder thereon adjoining said key-barrel whereby said plate may be reciprocated by means of a key, a tumbler or tumblers mounted on said tumbler-pin, a locking-stud carried by said plate and adapted to engage said tumbler or turnblers whereby said plate may be locked carried by said cup, a conical plunger mounted in the face-plate plunger-opening and encircling said pin, a spring interposed between said plunger and. said cup, said conical portion being adapted to enter between said jaws and actuate them to release a cooperating member, independently of the key, all contained in said casing or cup, and a cooperating member carrying means adapted to engage said aws through the opening in said face-plate.

14. In a lock, the combination of a lock casing or cup, a face-plate therefor having an opening therein adapted to permit the entrance of a cooperating latch member, a plurality of laterally-movable spring-pressed latch-jaws mounted in said casing, a reciprocating forked locking-plate, the end arms of which are adapted to engage said jaws and lock them against movement, means whereby said locking-plate may be reciprocated by means of a key, a depressible plunger adapted to enter between said jaws and separate them to release a cooperating member inde:

pendently of the key, all contained within said casing or cup, and a cooperating latch member carrying means adapted to engage said jaws through the opening in said. face plate.

I11 witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature, this 25th day of September, 1905, in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK S. ALIANO.

Witnesses:

F. G. VVENTWORTH,

WVM. H. BLAIN. 

